GPS | THE AMERICAS | NEW YORK CITY | The cast numbers 30 singers. The pit houses 35-piece orchestra musicians. On sheer numbers alone, the Noli Me Tangere Opera is a large-scale production. The opera is based on an epic novel: the 1887 historical classic by Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ National Hero.

The ambition is huge as well: the East Coast premiere of the Philippines’ first full-length grand opera — the first Filipino-language opera composed in the European opera format.

NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA in New York City | Photo by Randy Gener

The limited run of Noli Me Tangere Opera, featuring music by Felipe de Leon and a libretto by Guillermo Tolentino (both Philippine National Artists), runs at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College from Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6, 2013.

Although it is considered the most performed Filipino opera, the entire work has rarely been completely realized on any stage with a full orchestra since it first debuted in 1957.